Development Coordinator

Organizational Background

VOCAL-US is a national organization and the infrastructure hub for the VOCAL family of state-based organizations in New York, Kentucky, and Texas.

Founded in 1999, VOCAL-NY is a statewide membership organization that builds power among low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness in order to create healthy and just communities. We accomplish this through community organizing, leadership development, advocacy, direct services, participatory research and direct action.

VOCAL-US was founded in 2022, and launched VOCAL-KY, its first expansion project, that same year, with VOCAL-TX following in 2023.

Position Description

The Development Coordinator is a key member of the Infrastructure Team, responsible for supporting the development department’s work and activities, and will report to the Director of Development.

As Development Coordinator, you will support the growth of VOCAL-US and its affiliated organizations in New York, Kentucky, and Texas, coordinate the monthly donor program including donor stewardship, take a lead role in coordinating VOCAL-NY’s annual gala and other special events, regularly update development work tracking tools and calendars, research grant opportunities, and draft LOIs, grant applications, and grant reports. Additionally, you will contribute to development strategy and planning, the successful implementation of the annual development plan, and evaluations of development department activities.

This position is located in our office in Gowanus and will be full time in the office for the first 3 months; after 90 days, this position is expected to be in office at least 3-4 days per week, and will be eligible for occasional remote work with supervisor’s approval and based on current needs and workflow. Regular work hours are Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM, with occasional evenings (approximately 1-2 times per month).

Job Responsibilities:

Other duties may be assigned. On an ongoing basis, regular duties include the following:

• Fundraising: Coordinate individual donor campaigns (e.g., annual gala, end-of-year fundraising) and manage monthly donor programs. Frequently draft grant applications, LOIs, and reports.
• Administration: Manage electronic and paper records of donors and grants and serve as the lead on VOCAL’s CRM and donor software systems. Manage timely donor acknowledgments and benefit fulfillment. Coordinate the development calendar and development activities in the calendars of the Director of Development, Co-Executive Directors, and state-based Directors. Produce internal reports of development efforts and troubleshoot technology issues for donors. Serve as point of contact for development team phone calls and emails. Manage vendors.
• Development Communications: Draft fundraising emails and donor communications, including the annual report; develop content ideas and gather information and media. Draft graphics, flyers, social media posts, presentations, and videos. Create and schedule mass emails and social media posts. Manage production of and complete mailings as needed. Identify opportunities for recognition and submit applications.
• Prospecting: Conduct regular prospect research into foundations, other institutional funders, and major donors. Generate donor profiles. Manage foundation tracking so the organization always follows up on appropriate funder leads. Identify additional local opportunities for fundraising and manage participation in such.
• Events: Assist in implementing the event plan for VOCAL-NY’s annual gala and coordinate and/or support occasional fundraising and “friend-raising” events. Research and manage vendors. Solicit sponsorships and in-kind donations. Manage ticketing process, benefit fulfillment, and acknowledgments. Prepare and produce event materials.
• In-kind and Volunteer Support: Identify internal opportunities for in-kind and volunteer support. Solicit and schedule in-kind donations. Develop descriptions for and share volunteer opportunities. Coordinate with staff to schedule, manage, and recognize volunteers. Keep records of in-kind and volunteer contributions.

Requirements / Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be an energetic, self-motivated, resourceful individual with strong interpersonal, writing, research, and problem-solving skills, as well as a keen attention to detail. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic, the war on drugs, homelessness, and mass incarceration and a willingness to approach these issues through a racial justice analysis and using approaches that elevate the involvement of directly affected people and communities. People directly impacted by HIV, the war on drugs, homelessness, and mass incarceration are encouraged to apply. A deep commitment to social justice is required.

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 2-3 years of full-time resource development experience at a social justice non-profit or similar organization; 5+ years preferred.
• Excellent verbal, written, research, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines.
• A commitment to grassroots fundraising as a necessary component of power building.
• Attention to detail and strong proofreading skills.
• A strong commitment to teamwork and to working with and promoting the leadership of people directly affected by the issues we work on.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Experience writing grant proposals and drafting communications.
• Proficiency with common business software (e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email clients). Graphic design, database, and video skills are highly desired.
• Occasional schedule flexibility to produce or attend events.
• Understanding of and passion for VOCAL-NY’s mission.

This is a full-time, exempt position. The position will report to the Director of Development and work collaboratively with other members of the Infrastructure, Organizing & Campaigns, and Services teams, as well as employees of other VOCAL-US affiliates and volunteers.

VOCAL-NY is an equal opportunity employer. People who currently or have a history of using drugs, people who have experienced incarceration, people who are currently or have been homeless, women, people of color, people who are LGBTQ, and people living with HIV/AIDS are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit our website at www.vocal-ny.org.